Stan Collymore to join Nottingham Forest fans in City Ground protest

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Stan Collymore will be at the City Ground tomorrow. (Picture: NFFC SC Newarl)

Stan Collymore is joining Nottingham Forest fans in a City Ground protest against club chairman Fawaz Al-Hasawi.

Reds fans unhappy with the collapse of a planned takeover by John Jay Moores have arranged a peaceful protest for Saturday ahead of the home clash with Bristol City.

Ex-Forest striker Collymore Tweeted he would be joining the demonstration in the car park behind the Peter Taylor Stand at 2pm.

Collymore added he would be attending with members of the Newark Branch of the Nottingham Forest Supporters’ Club, for which he is Branch President.

Secretary of the Newark Branch Matt Ridyard said: “Stan got in contact last night about showing his backing, he put it on Twitter and then contacted me about getting a ticket, 20 minutes later it was all sorted.

“You read the Fawaz statement and you think is he trying to win people round, but for me it’s four-and-a-half-years too late.

“You feel the John Jay Moores statement is for the Forest fans, it’s saying come on you put the pressure on him.”

Reds fans have raised £115 through a gofundme page to buy flyers and banners for tomorrow’s protest.

Forest supporters were left frustrated last Saturday after a disastrous 24 hours saw Philippe Montanier sacked and the Moores takeover fall through.

Chairman and owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi yesterday wrote and open letter to Forest fans following the unrest, in which he assured supporters of his “complete and utter commitment to Nottingham Forest, and securing its long-term position as a thriving and successful club – both on and off the pitch”.

This statement was shortly followed by another statement from John Jay Moores that said an offer by his consortium to acquire a 100 per cent of the club was not accepted.

John Jay Moores full statement.

Jonathan Walker of Total:NFFC  says he is worried by the Moores claims.

He said: “We’ve heard all of the same things from Fawaz before and nothing has ever really come of these statements on the official website, but what can we do?

“I don’t believe his message of securing the clubs long-term position.”

Former club captain Henri Lansbury today left for Championship rivals Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee on a four-and-a-half year deal.

Jonathan added: “I’d say the Lansbury deal is a disaster, some fans may disagree but look at the results without him in the team compared to results with him.

“He’s out most influential player without doubt, he’ll be hard to replace given our spending record in the last few years.”

Forest currently sit 20th in the Championship table, just three points off the relegation zone.

But there was some good news for fans today as midfielder Jamie Ward has returned after his loan agreement with Burton Albion was terminated.

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Jamie Ward returns to the City Ground.

Matt added: “You always get that new manager syndrome, where once someone new comes in they bring the players together and give them a boost.

“We made too many changes at the start of the season including loaning out Jamie Ward.

“Jamie coming back is brilliant news, I don’t know why we got rid of him, he will put his head where people won’t put their feet.”